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Always under the radar in Bangladesh because his style of play isn’t as flashy as some of the others’, the opener has arrived in international cricket with the potential to go big

Mohammad Isam in Dhaka30-Nov-2018It had only been a few hours since Shadman Islam had made 73 against the West Indians in the practice game. But the news was already out. He had made the Bangladesh Test side. It was the final confirmation that the coach Steve Rhodes and selectors Minhajul Abedin and Habibul Bashar believed in his ability. He would be the back-up opener.Soumya Sarkar failed in the first Test in Chattogram. So did Imrul Kayes, who then picked up shoulder and toe injuries as well. Bangladesh needed a new opener and Shadman was there. The eighth debutant in a year when they have played only eight Tests.The onus was on the 23-year-old to make the most of his chance. Although he was the top-scorer of the Under-19 World Cup in 2014, some of his peers from that tournament – Imam-ul-Haq, Aiden Markram, Kusal Mendis, Liton Das – had overtaken him onto the international stage. He needed to catch up.Shadman certainly looked the part on his first day as a Test cricketer, going to lunch on 36 not out, with three sweetly-timed fours. More than that, he had batted without being overwhelmed by the fact that he was facing an attack that had caused several Bangladesh batting collapses in the recent past.Shadman struck three more fours in the post-lunch session, one of which brought up his half-century, and by the time he was finally dismissed, he had played 199 deliveries, the most for any Bangladesh debutant in the last 15 years.”It felt good,” Shadman said. “Everyone has a dream to play for their country. I tried to give my best for the team, and although I couldn’t fulfill expectations, I will try to do it in the future.”There’s no real regret [of not reaching a century]. I think everyone wants a century on debut. I tried to bat the way it was best for the team. I couldn’t finish the day properly. I felt I should have been around for longer.”Shadman is an old-fashioned opener. He has made most of his 3023 first-class runs by concentrating on his defence. And that is what he did against West Indies as well.”I didn’t think much more than trying to play to the merit of the ball, like the way I have played in domestic cricket,” he said. “I think the practice match helped me. I got an idea about their bowlers. My plan for the practice match also worked here. [My senior team-mates] are more experienced than me, so they kept telling me that I should do only what I do best, like I bat in domestic cricket. They told me to not try anything extra. You have trusted your natural game, so stay that way.”Shadman became a contender for higher honours in 2014-15, when he accumulated 1,323 runs at 55.12 in both four-day and one-day cricket. He’s had a good time in recent Dhaka Premier League seasons as well, averaging 47.00 in 2017 and 46.20 in 2018, and his chart-topping numbers – 680 runs at 64.80 – in the ongoing National Cricket League made sure he couldn’t be ignored by the national selectors anymore.Ironically enough, the reason behind his success is also the reason behind his taking so long to come to prominence. His steady approach to run-making goes under the radar when compared to some of the other, flashier talents in Bangladesh. But now that he has made good of his first opportunity at the highest level, Shadman certainly has the potential to catch up with the Under-19 class of 2014. His father – Shahidul, who has been a longtime talent scout for the BCB – made sure of that.”My father definitely has an influence in my life. When I was a kid, used to take me to all the U-15 and U-17 camps. I tried to prepare myself in academy and school cricket like my father guided me.”He supported my cricket a lot. He still tells me how to play, how to set my life as a cricketer. I try to keep myself that way.”Shadman could have easily sulked over his lack of opportunities. He could have been lost in Bangladesh’s rapidly shifting domestic cricket system. But he seems to possess patience, a very important characteristic for a cricketer, especially for one in this part of the world.

Trent Rockets captain also explains decision to retire Imad Wasim out during defeat to Birmingham Phoenix

Matt Roller13-Aug-2024Lewis Gregory, the Trent Rockets captain, believes that indifferent pitches are the root cause of the drop-off in scores in the men’s Hundred this season. The average first-innings total has slumped from 155 last summer to 133 this year, while after 14 scores of 170-plus in 2023 there has only been one so far in 2024.Several players have blamed the ball, which deviates more than the standard-issue white Kookaburra on account of the extra lacquer required for the Hundred’s branding. But the balls have exactly the same specifications as last season, and Gregory believes that “tired” pitches are to blame for the low-scoring games across the country.”I don’t think the surfaces have been particularly great across the board,” he said. “These balls do seem to swing a fraction more than the normal white Kookaburras that we use in the Blast. I just think the combination of that and some tired pitches at the back end of an English season has made it quite difficult for free-flowing striking.”Rockets were bowled out for 118 by Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston on Monday night, a result which saw them eliminated at the group stages. They struggled against the substantial new-ball movement which has been a theme of the Hundred this year, slipping to 22 for 4 after 30 balls with Tim Southee and Chris Wood taking early wickets.The balls used in the Hundred have been criticised by a number of players•PA Images via Getty Images

“You’re seeing the ball get off straight a lot, which obviously makes it difficult to whack out of the park when the ball is moving around,” Gregory said. “There’s a lot of cricket throughout the English summer and [we are] coming towards the back end. There are a few tired wickets that bring spinners into the game, and then there’s a few wickets that have done a lot for the seamers.”The Hundred is being staged at the same eight venues as in previous summers, but the UK has experienced an unusually high level of rainfall this year, contributing to groundstaff’s challenges. “I’m not quite sure what the cause is, but in the past we’ve played on some better surfaces than we have this year,” Gregory said.The average first-innings score in the women’s Hundred has hardly changed from last year: 133 in 2023 to 130 in 2024. Some pundits have suggested that the women’s game has benefitted from groundstaff leaving more grass on pitches this season.

Why Rockets retired Imad out

During Monday’s loss, Rockets became the fourth team this season to retire a batter out, sending Chris Green in to replace Imad Wasim with 14 balls left in order to target a short leg-side boundary against Dan Mousley’s offspin. Imad had just faced three successive dot balls to reach 29 off 29 balls, but Rockets collapsed to be bowled out off the final ball of the innings.”We spoke about [retiring Imad out] for the last 20 balls, with having a right-hander to [hit towards] the short side, and the two balls before that he hit for four, so we thought we’d give him another five balls,” Gregory explained. “It was about trying to get a right-left [combination] in with obviously a shorter side.”Imad did a brilliant job for us in tricky circumstances, coming in early [at 22 for 4]. He had a great partnership with Tom Alsop and we just tried to get Chris Green in, who in the first game went and got 25 off 7, so [we were] hoping that he could reproduce that… whether that was the right decision or wrong decision, we don’t know.”Related

• That was the Hundred that was, as tough season finds an adequate climax

• Northern Superchargers thrash London Spirit to keep knockout hopes alive

• Anderson considering T20 franchise circuit after Test retirement

• Southee knocks Rockets out as Phoenix stay in race

• ECB pull Woakes out of Hundred after Stokes' hamstring injury

Imad joined Sam Billings, Wayne Madsen and Kathryn Bryce in retiring out tactically in the Hundred this year, and Gregory expects the ploy to become increasingly common: “We’ve spoken about it throughout the competition and everyone’s been happy, if there’s a case to retire someone, everyone’s comfortable with that. We pulled the trigger on that last night.”The shorter the format, you will see it a bit more… there’s not much time, and if you think someone’s not quite got the surface or the opposite down, it is giving someone else an opportunity to be able to do that. I don’t think you’ll see stacks of it, I just think you’re trying to create small margins that might help you.”It doesn’t always work. It’s one of those. I think guys now are realising if they’re struggling, or there’s an opportunity for someone else to come in that can potentially smack them out of the park, then I think guys are comfortable with that.”KP Snacks, the Official Team Partner of The Hundred, is continuing its initiative to build 100 new community cricket pitches across England and Wales, with 35 brand new pitches going down in 2024. To find out more and search for your nearest pitch, click here.

da aposte e ganhe： Chelsea are set for a huge end to the 2024/25 season. They are within touching distance of a European final, currently leading Swedish side Djurgarden 4-1 on aggregate. Given the tie is at Stamford Bridge, they go into it as strong favourites.

da dobrowin： On top of that, Enzo Maresca’s side are pushing for a top-five finish in the Premier League. Sunday’s 3-1 thrashing of newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool was a huge win in that sense.

Then, of course, the Blues are participants in the Club World Cup, where they will face Mexican side Club Leon in their first group game.

With the transfer window opening earlier to accommodate that tournament, the West Londoners could be looking to add to their squad in the coming weeks.

Chelsea target Premier League attacker

There are no lack of options for Maresca in wide areas. So, it might be a surprise that the Blues are looking to add new wingers to their squad.

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Yet, rumours linking them to Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho do not seem to go away.

Now, according to a recent report from Football Insider, Chelsea are thought to be ‘plotting a new move to sign’ the 20-year-old. The Red Devils are ‘open to letting him leave’ this summer, given they need to raise transfer funds of their own.

However, the Argentina international will not come cheap for Chelsea. According to a recent report from The Daily Star, United are likely to ask for a fee as high as £65m from the West Londoners.

Given the Blues have already tried, and failed, to sign Garnacho last January, it seems like they could well meet that demand.

How Garnacho compares to Noni Madueke

It has been a fairly bleak campaign in 2024/25 for United. However, Garnacho has definitely been a bright spark at times. Despite a lull in form around Christmas, he has really picked up again in recent weeks.

This term, the young attacker has managed 11 goals and ten assists across all competitions in 54 appearances. He has scored six times and provided two in the Premier League, having played 34 games in the top flight.

Impressively, there are only seven players under the age of 21 with ten or more goals and ten or more assists this season. That list includes Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Garnacho. His most recent strike came against Brentford, a sublime long-range effort in a 4-3 loss.

Perhaps Garnacho can have a similar impact at Stamford Bridge as Noni Madueke has made this term. The former PSV Eindhoven star has also been in electric form this term, and has managed to chalk up 11 goals and five assists in all competitions.

Former Bues player Jason Cundy was full of praise for Madueke recently, after his goal against Djurgarden in the 4-1 Conference League thrashing.

The defender-turned-pundit explained that, as a defender, you know that “when he goes past you, he stays past you”, suggesting he is hard to keep quiet.

Interestingly, there can be statistical comparisons drawn, courtesy of FBref, between United’s number 17, Garnacho, and Chelsea man Madueke.

For example, Garnacho averages 0.21 goals per shot on target and 1.47 key passes per 90 minutes. In comparison, Madueke averages 0.23 goals per shot on target and 1.49 key passes each game.

Garnacho & Madueke key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Garnacho

Madueke

Goals per shot on target

0.21

0.23

Key passes

1.47

1.49

Shot-creating actions

3.4

3.77

Progressive carries

5.84

7.06

Ball recoveries

4.54

3.58

Stats from FBref

There are certainly similarities between Garnacho and Madueke, and they could both play together, given they favour opposite flanks. If the Argentine star can have anyhwere close to the impact the English winger has made at Stamford Bridge, it will have been a successful signing.

Although £65m is a steep fee, Garnacho is a “special talent” according to football statistician Statman Dave, and Chelsea might not want to miss out on this market opportunity.

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تحدث الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، عن مواجهة الغد أمام الأهلي السعودي، المقرر لها ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال، مؤكداً سعادته بالمستوى الذي وصل إليه فريقه.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي بيراميدز مع الأهلي السعودي، مساء غد الثلاثاء في تمام التاسعة مساءً، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة.

وقال كرونسلاف يورتشيتش في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “بالطبع لم يكن أحد يتوقع يوما لنادي بيراميدز أن يحقق دوري الأبطال في هذه المدة واللعب في كأس العالم والإنتركونتننتال، ولكن الحلم أصبح واقعًا والآن نحن نلعب في هذا المستوى ولدينا فرصة للوصول إلى نقطة أبعد”.

طالع أيضاً.. فيفا يُعلن حكم مباراة بيراميدز والأهلي السعودي في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

وتابع: “طالبت اللاعبين بضرورة إظهار قوتهم في مواجهة خصم قوي أمام جماهيره ولابد من إظهار الشغف والقتال من أجل الفوز والوصول إلى مرحلة اللعب في قطر وإضافة إنجاز جديد وبطولة هامة في تاريخ نادي بيراميدز وكرة القدم المصرية”.

وأوضح: “نادي الأهلي سبق لي اللعب أمامه عندما كنت مدربا للنصر السعودي وحاليا هو فريق قوي للغاية ويمتلك لاعبين رائعين ومدرب رائع وجماهير ضخمة، وبالفعل شاهدت آخر مباراتين في دوري أبطال آسيا والدوري السعودي وأظهروا قوة كبيرة ورد فعل قوي ولكن في النهاية أنا أثق بشدة في لاعبي بيراميدز وقدرتهم على الفوز”.

وحول فارق الإمكانيات المالية بين بيراميدز والأهلي السعودي قال: “المال مهم بالفعل في كرة القدم ولكنه ليس أهم شيء، وفي النهاية الملعب هو الفيصل في حسم المباريات”.

واختتم: “بيراميدز بالفعل يعاني من بعض الغيابات في صفوفه ولكن في النهاية المجموعة جاهزة وأنا أثق فيهم بشدة، وأهنئ في النهاية الشعب السعودي بيوم المملكة السعودية الذي يتوافق مع نفس يوم اللقاء”.

Chelsea have a big summer ahead of them to build on the impressive work done this season during Enzo Maresca’s first year in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian has set the side up for potential success first season, still sitting in an excellent position to claim Champions League football, whilst also in pole position to win the Europa Conference League.

However, the main aim for the 45-year-old and the hierarchy will certainly be to battle for the Premier League title next year, with Estevao Willian already set to move to the club this summer.

He will also be joined by Dario Essugo, who is moving to West London after the hierarchy agreed a deal for his services with Sporting CP earlier this month.

The 20-year-old will need time to settle given his tender age, but the transition could be made easier by 2026, with another one of his current teammates linking up with him 12 months after his move.

Chelsea’s deal to land Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP

It was confirmed this month that Chelsea had agreed a £42m deal with the Liga Portugal outfit for 17-year-old wonderkid Geovany Quenda to move to the club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The Portuguese star has been a man in demand after his tremendous breakthrough season, with Ruben Amorim previously interested in taking the teenager with him to Manchester.

However, the Blues jumped ahead of them in the race for his signature, agreeing a seven-year deal for his services with an option for a further year down the line.

Quenda, who can play as a wing-back or winger on either flank, has registered two goals and six assists in all competitions throughout this year – simply incredible figures for such a young talent.

However, he will have a lot of expectations on his shoulders upon his move to the Bridge given the fee, but the club may have been better off keeping hold of one former player who’s outperformed him this campaign.

The former Chelsea star who’s outperformed Quenda in 2024/25

As a result of the heavy spending during the Todd Boehly era, some brutal calls have had to be made to allow players to depart Chelsea to balance the books and avoid any punishments from the Premier League.

The Blues have sold nearly £500m worth of talent over the last three years, many of which have been phenomenal pieces of business – with the players unable to justify their hefty fees elsewhere.

However, one sale they may regret is that of full-back Lewis Hall, who departed his boyhood club for £35m in the summer, joining Newcastle United on a permanent basis after spending the previous year on loan on Tyneside.

The 20-year-old only made 12 first-team appearances for the Blues but has taken his career to the next level this season with valuable minutes under Eddie Howe’s guidance.

Hall, who’s been dubbed “superb” by journalist Thomas Hammond, has featured in 27 Premier League outings this season, with an ankle injury prematurely ending his first permanent year in the North East.

When comparing his figures to those of Quenda in 2024/25, the Englishman has outperformed him in numerous areas, showing the mistake the club made in allowing him to depart on a permanent basis.

The Chelsea academy graduate has won more tackles per 90, whilst also making more blocks per game – showcasing the defensive qualities he possesses in the wing-back role.

He’s also managed to complete more crosses and achieve a higher take-on success rate this season, outclassing Quenda in attacking areas despite his defensive position.

There’s no denying that Quenda will develop over time given his tender age, having the potential to transform into a top-level star under the guidance of Maresca.

However, as seen above, it’s evident that Hall is currently a bigger talent, having the skill set to play a key role in the current first-team, but their loss is Newcastle’s gain – making a huge mistake in parting ways with him given his rise in recent months.

Chelsea sold "sensational" ace for £5m, now he's a bigger star than James

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Ethan Lamb

Mar 25, 2025

Since taking the Arsenal job, when the club were at their lowest point in a generation, Mikel Arteta has made some seismic changes.

Some of the most significant have come in the transfer market, as the Spaniard spent a massive sum of money building a squad capable of challenging for major honours domestically and on the continent.

In doing so, the former captain has signed an enormous number of players over the years, and while some haven’t exactly panned out, like Willian, Pablo Mari and Nuno Tavares, others, like Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya, certainly have.

In fact, it would be fair to say that one of Arteta’s acquisitions is now comfortably the club’s best signing since Mesut Özil joined the team over a decade ago.

Özil's Arsenal career

It’s a moment that no Arsenal fan who was around at the time will forget, Özil being announced on transfer deadline day 2013, in what was a club-record £42.4m deal at the time.

The German international was leaving Real Madrid to come to the Emirates, and saying that fans were excited about it would be a colossal understatement.

It didn’t take long for the mercurial midfielder to make good on his transfer fee either, as on his debut, away to Sunderland, he provided a brilliant assist for Olivier Giroud.

Throughout his stint in North London, the World Cup winner made 254 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals, providing 75 assists, and playing a significant role in three FA Cup triumphs.

Unfortunately, after signing his bumper £350k-per-week deal in 2018, things started to go wrong, and he began to face criticism for his perceived lack of work rate, which worsened when Arteta took charge.

However, while things ended poorly, and he eventually left for nothing to join Fenerbahçe in January 2021, it cannot be forgotten that in his pomp, Özil was an incredible footballer to watch and, had the club built around him, he may have led them to league glory.

There have been some great signings made in the years since he left, but one potentially era-defining acquisition under Arteta could be fairly described as the club’s best since the German.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Arsenal's best signing since Ozil

As we mentioned above, Arteta has made his fair share of impressive signings since taking the job at Arsenal, but in terms of needle-moving purchases, the spotlight falls on one player: Declan Rice.

The former West Ham United captain moved to the Emirates for a club-record fee of £105m in the summer of 2023, and while there was a mountain of pressure on him, he’s since surpassed every expectation people had of him.

In fact, the fans often sing about signing him for half-price, and while that is somewhat tongue in cheek, there is likely an increasing portion of the support that is genuinely starting to believe it.

Appearances

94

Minutes

7640′

Goals

14

Assists

18

Goal Involvements per Match

0.34

Minutes per Goal Involvement

238.75′

For example, since moving to North London, the “world-class” midfielder, as dubbed by journalist Tom Marshall-Bailey, has made 94 appearances, in which he’s scored 14 goals and provided 18 assists, despite moving between the six and eight positions.

We saw just how devastatingly effective the Englishman can be last night when he scored two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid to give his side an incredible opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since the 08/09 season.

On top of his impressive level of output, the 26-year-old also has some sensational underlying numbers.

For example, FBref places him in the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area, the top 6% for assists, the top 7% for goals plus assists, the top 8% for shot-creating action from dead-ball passes and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Arsenal would have expected Rice to perform to a high level considering his price tag, we are not sure they nor anyone else expected him to be this good, and that’s why he’s their best signing since Ozil.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 9, 2025

قدم أسطورة نادي بايرن ميونخ، دعمه إلى الوافد الجديد بنادي ليفربول، فلوريان فيرتز، في ظل سوء مستوى الأخير مع الريدز حتى هذه اللحظة.

ونجح ليفربول في التعاقد مع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، قادمًا من صفوف باير ليفركوزن مقابل حوالي 126 مليون يورو وبعقد مدته 5 سنوات.

لكن على الرغم من التوقعات الكبيرة التي كانت على فيرتز، فلم يستطع الأخير تقديم المستوى المطلوب منه حتى الآن مع النادي الإنجليزي بالفعل وتعرض إلى العديد من الانتقادات.

اقرأ أيضًا .. سلاح خطير.. ليفربول يمنح سلوت أسرع لاعب في أوروبا

لكن أسطورة بايرن ميونخ والكرة الألمانية، لوثار ماتيوس، يرى أن فيرتز سوف يتألق مع ليفربول وأن اللاعب بحاجة إلى الانسجام فقط مع الدوري الإنجليزي ليخرج أفضل ما لديه.

وقال ماتيوس في تصريحات إلى شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”: “ما يحدث مع فيرتز أمر طبيعي بعد انتقال كبير كهذا إلى خارج ألمانيا”.

وأضاف ماتيوس في حديثه: “لكنه لاعب رائع، سيعتاد على الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع مرور الوقت، وسيكون قادرًا على تحمل الضغوط الأكبر”.

واختتم نجم إنتر ميلان مسبقًا: “شعرت بنفس الشعور في إنتر ميلان في البداية، وأندي بريمه الذي لم تكن صفقة انتقاله ناجحة، قدم أداءً رائعًا فور انضمامه إلى إنتر، كان علي التأقلم مع كل شيء، ويعود ذلك جزئيًا إلى الضجة الإعلامية وارتفاع قيمة الصفقة”.

da bet sport： Everton’s time at Goodison Park has very nearly run its course with a second test event at Bramley-Moore Dock now complete.

da supremo： It remains to be seen what players will be picked by David Moyes for Everton’s first competitive fixture at their fresh home, with the Scotsman having to wrestle with the futures of many of his camp now owing to their contracts running down, on top of loanees such as Jack Harrison and Jesper Linderstrom perhaps not sticking it out long-term.

Whatever does take place, the options at Moyes’ disposal on the left side of the attack look to be light with Iliman Ndiaye currently out injured and homegrown gem Anthony Gordon now way away from the grasps of Goodison at Newcastle United.

Gordon's rise at Newcastle since leaving Everton

Gordon has had to walk away from Thomas Tuchel’s England camp this international break due to his own injury difficulties, but it’s fair to say his career has come on leaps and bounds since waving goodbye to Merseyside.

Indeed, the Liverpool-born attacker is front and centre of Eddie Howe’s EFL Cup-winning side right now, with Gordon boasting an impressive nine strikes and six assists this season in all competitions, even if he did miss that Wembley showdown with the Reds through suspension.

Those numbers alone actually match his entire output from when he was in the Everton first-team picture, with Gordon only mustering up a disappointing seven goals and eight assists at the Toffees, having previously shone in many a youth side.

Still, this didn’t prove to be a setback for the now fully fledged Three Lions international who has gone on to excel past Merseyside.

On the flip side, however, a fellow former Toffees youth product hasn’t quite gone on to reach the heights once expected of him, despite bettering Gordon back in their U23s education.

The Everton academy star who was ahead of Gordon

It’s to be expected in the cruel landscape of youth football that some won’t hit the heights they believe they’re destined for, with the hype next to their name often working against them.

Nathan Broadhead is arguably a forgotten face when examining the recent crop to have come up through the youth ranks at Goodison, with the likes of Gordon stealing most of the plaudits for his heroics now at St James’ Park.

But, back in 2021, many would have been expecting Broadhead to be the star to hit the big time in the same way Gordon has, considering the Welsh starlet had a number of goal-and-assist laden campaigns under his belt playing for the U23s.

Broadhead had been in and around the U23 set-up since 2017, with Gordon still having to cut his teeth in the U18 picture initially, whilst his counterpart went on to tally up 17 goals and seven assists from 59 appearances in the highest level of youth football.

Gordon paled in comparison with his output for the U23s too – helping himself to just eight goals and five assists from a lesser 28 appearances – but only one of them would ultimately go on to forge a senior career at the club.

Despite making a name for himself in the youth circles at the club, Broadhead only made a meagre two first-team appearances for the Toffees, with the path to stardom for Gordon laid out for him when he seized his senior chances better.

Broadhead’s senior career after Everton

Season

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

24/25

16

0

1

23/24

41

13

5

22/23

21

8

6

Sourced by Transfermarkt

He has since gone on to play in the Premier League more regularly at his current employers Ipswich Town after Kevin Thelwell sanctioned a £1.5m switch, but he has had to work hard to get back up to the level, having joined the Tractor Boys when they were marooned down in League One.

Ultimately, it’s extremely hard to predict how a youngster’s playing days will pan out, with Gordon potentially set for even dizzier heights at the Magpies, whilst Broadhead stares a relegation back to the Championship in the face.

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He may be Everton’s best player.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Mar 23, 2025

Newcastle United have established themselves as one of the top-flight’s top four contenders, but Eddie Howe has no intention of stopping there once the summer window opens for business.

Newcastle's summer activity could be determined by Premier League fate

Despite three losses in their last five Premier League fixtures, Newcastle remain firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification under Eddie Howe.

While the FA Cup fifth round offers some welcome respite from their top-flight duties this weekend, the Magpies know the significance of taking a step closer to another appearance at Wembley should they overcome Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.

With a place in the Carabao Cup final already secure, Newcastle could potentially have three different avenues to qualify for Europe this season when factoring in their league position and potential to go all the way in England’s oldest domestic competition.

Howe will also be aware that the competition they enter may have a bearing on incomings, and they may also need to make some tough choices to meet PSR requirements. According to reports, Samu Aghehowa has been identified as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak should the Swede be sacrificed to adhere with regulations.

Departures will also make way for fresh blood to enter the fold at St James’ Park. Matt Targett, Callum Wilson and Jamal Lascelles could be due to leave upon the expiry of their contracts, which could free up significant wage expenditure after PIF gave Howe the green light to spend this summer.

Creativity may be needed to maximise the scope for recruitment on Tyneside this summer. Now, Howe could now revisit a move for one of his top January targets as he aims to streamline his squad.

Newcastle United could tempt Angel Gomes to Tyneside

According to the Daily Briefing via CaughtOffside, Newcastle are keen to bring in Lille midfielder Angel Gomes this summer on a free transfer as his contract at Lille runs into its final few months.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on the England international. Nevertheless, the report claims a move to Tyneside could be a tempting proposition for the Carrington graduate, who has two goals and one assist in 19 appearances this term.

Man Utd now readying five-year offer to sign "perfect" £30m star for Amorim

Ruben Amorim could make a surprising move.

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By
Sean Markus Clifford

Mar 1, 2025

Back in January, Gomes was Newcastle’s top target before the window petered out with no deal coming to fruition. Mid-season deals are often difficult to conduct by nature, but the summer may be a different proposition for the Magpies when bolstering the ranks is firmly on the agenda.

Featuring in a variety of roles across the engine room, the Lille man has created 14 chances on Ligue 1 duty this term alongside winning 31 duels despite his slight frame.

Newcastle’s squad is in need of new energy to replenish some ageing fringe players that may need upgrading before too long, making Gomes someone that should be pursued as a priority due to the fact he is available for nothing.

Manchester United are now willing to make a £67m offer to ensure they win the race for an “incredible” striker, who fits Ruben Amorim’s system “perfectly”, according to a report.

Red Devils keen on a striker

Man United signed off before the international break with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Leicester City, and Rasmus Hojlund was back amongst the goals, finally finding the back of the net after a 13-game drought in the Premier League.

However, given that the Dane has bagged just three league goals all season, while Joshua Zirkzee has also struggled in his debut campaign at Old Trafford, it is clear to see why Amorim wants to bring in a new striker in the summer transfer window.

A promising new update has revealed there could now be an opening to sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who has been followed closely for several seasons, while United are also the favourites to sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Man Utd want to sell £10m-a-year star and replace him with "monster" player

Amorim wants Man Utd to strengthen their defensive options this summer, leaving one of his current options out in the cold.

ByBrett Worthington Mar 25, 2025

There is no shortage of top strikers from across Europe on the shortlist, but a new report from Spain suggests a Premier League forward has now become a serious target, with Man United now willing to shell out €80m (£67m) for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha.

United could go all out to sign Cunha, whose ability to play in multiple positions has caught the eye, and negotiations could be stepped up in the coming weeks, with a view to sealing a deal ahead of the summer transfer window.

Wolves view the striker as an important player, but they are willing to sanction his departure this summer, and they may have little choice in the matter, with reports from elsewhere revealing he has a £63m release clause.

"Incredible" Cunha fits Amorim's system "perfectly"

There are indications the Brazilian could be an ideal signing for United this summer, with former scout Mick Brown asserting he is a good fit for Amorim’s style of play.

“I think he fits the system perfectly. He can press, he’s quick, his passing and creativity is very good, and he can play through the middle and score goals too.”

The 25-year-old has been impressing in the Premier League for quite some time, having previously been lauded as “incredible” by former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, and he has been a reliable source of goals and assists this season.

The Brazil international has amassed 13 goals and four assists in 26 Premier League games, while also recently bagging his first goal for his national side.

It is clear United need to bring in a new striker this summer, given Hojlund and Zirkzee’s struggles, and Cunha has proven himself as a reliable goalscorer in the Premier League.